WHO AWARDS BANQUETS

WE HONOR OURS

El Segundo Teacher's Association

Who Awards

     Hall of Fame:

STATE WHO AWARD HONOREES:

2020-2021   Meredith Beachly

2016-2017   Daphne Moote

LOCAL WHO AWARD HONOREES:

2018-2019     Judy Munger

2017-2018  Jim Walter

2016-2017   Al Luna

2015-2016 - Amanda Igi

2014-2015 -  Stephanie Burns

2013-2014 -  Marianna Tuscherer

2012-2013-    Tahnya Nodar

2011-2012-    Donna Scaltrito

2010-2011-   Bonnie Maye

2009-2010-   Betty Sleeth

2008-2009 -  Meredith Beachly

2007-2008 -  Daphne Moote

2006-2007 -  Craig Cousins

2005-2006 -  Dorene Morgan

2004-2005 -  Paulette Caudill

2004-2005 -  Karen King

1994-1995 -  Darlene Morrison

1993-1994 -  Ron Braunstein

1992-1993 -  Mary Haag

1991-1992 -  Joe Van Pelt

1990-1991 -  Terry Crystal

1983-1984 -  Betty Dake

1983-1984 -  Allen Hamblin

The annual Bay Valley Service Center WHO (We Honor Ours) Awards banquet event is an evening where we honor and give recognition at the local and state level. The Local WHO Award is given to honor members who have a long history of distinguished service to the local association.

Congratulations to all our El Segundo Teacher’s Association Recipients.

STEPHANIE BURNS, WHO Award Recipient, 2015

ESTA serves a community with a true small-town atmosphere. As a long-time resident of El Segundo, Stephanie provides a necessary local point of view on the ESTA board. Her social connections are valuable since she knows parents and administrators outside of the school walls. This allows her to help communicate Association points of views and values to the community while at church or in the grocery store. As a counselor at the high school, parents, community members and (most importantly) Association members trust her and so they are willing to listen to her when she discusses Association business. Her experience as a counselor has also helped at the bargaining table because she is seen by both sides as bringing a level-headed and fair point of view.

The trust and respect Stephanie Burns has built in her many years of service as a counselor at El Segundo High and her presence in front of any group of people allow her to communicate efficiently with Association members and then effectively represent them at the bargaining table. We are fortunate to have such a capable Bargaining Chair.

Tahnya Nodar,  

2013  WHO AWARD RECIPIENT

Tahnya Nodar meets every challenge head on. Since her career began, she has dedicated countless hours to her classroom and the ESTA. Tahnya’s career as a union member began as building rep and now includes V.P., Organizing Chair, and lobbying in Washington, D.C. for the Jobs Act. This year she served as a CTA  “RTM”, passionately dedicated to rallying the troops to support Prop. 30 and defeat Prop. 32. Tahnya’s caring nature was evident as she surprised the bargaining team, sequestered in a windowless room during impasse, with homemade goodies.

At school, Tahnya’s laughter can be heard echoing in the hallways. She is the consummate organizer, dependable volunteer, and passionate teacher. Her attention to detail is unmatched. Presently, Tahnya is head of the disaster team at Richmond Elementary School. For Tahnya, sharing new and innovative ideas to help her students achieve is a never- ending process. It is fitting that her tireless efforts be recognized.

DONNA SCALTRITO,

2012  WHO AWARD RECIPIENT

Donna Scaltrito has great spirit and dedication to the work and importance of unions, not only for our local association, but to the work of CTA and NEA. As a building representative for almost a decade we can always count on her enthusiasm as she shares passionately with colleagues issues that help protect public education.  We all feel the demands of increased work-loads and the challenges of juggling multiple responsibilities. Donna is no exception. However as a single parent, and dedicated teacher, whenever asked to help she not only takes care of the task, she does so with a smile and without a moment’s hesitation.  As a member of our health benefits committee she has gone above and beyond to be there for members and help address issues. It is with great pleasure we honor our own, Donna Scaltrito.  Congratulations Donna!   Thank you, Donna for your positive attitude and care, inside and outside the classroom.  

BONNIE MAYE,

2011 WHO AWARD RECIPIENT

Bonnie Maye is an amazing teacher, union member and friend. She is willing to serve wherever there is a need and gives 110 percent to everything that she does. She works hard for her students, her colleagues, her administration, her family, her friends and herself.

Bonnie started her tenure in El Segundo fifteen years ago as an aide in Kindergarten. Since then she has taught PE, ESL, computers and garage band. Bonnie is in charge of publishing the yearbook and is the go to person for Powerschool while she also maintains the Middles School school calendar and website. She currently serves as the El Segundo Teachers Association Treasurer and Bargaining Chair. Bonnie also serves as the chair of Bay Valley Service Center’s coordinated bargaining committee.

Congratulations Bonnie and thank you for your service!

BETTY SLEETH,

2010 WHO AWARD RECIPIENT

Consummate professional.  These two words describe Betty Sleeth.  In 1993 when she agreed to accept the Membership chair of our El Segundo Teachers’ Association, teachers in our district had no idea that Bay Valley Service Center even existed.  After attending the membership training Betty spent countless hours of her time and almost single handedly created the necessary legal documents, etc. to help us transition from a non-agency-fee association to one with it.  During her 14 years as Membership chair Betty has educated our entire district of teachers as to all that is available to us through our connection to Bay Valley Service Center, CTA, and NEA.  As a Richmond St. School teacher, she has been our go-to leader serving her fellow teachers in numerous ways: as our teacher representative at ESUSD’s ’07 21st Century Education Summit connecting major businesses, local & state political leaders, and other community leaders; as a Student Teacher mentor; as a Strategic Planning Committee member; as a participate & trainer of US history at Williamsburg, Virginia; and as a precinct walker supporting school bonds and pro-educational measures, to name just a few. Tonight we honor her continuing dedicated service.

Meredith Beachly,

2009 WHO Award Recipient

Take a highly efficient educator, with ten years of dedicated service in El Segundo, add a spirited supporter of teachers and students rights and you’ll have the professional Meredith Beachly. The one that passionately serves as association building representative, coordinates the programs, Outdoor Science School and Astrocamp, while having served numerous times as a delegate to the Representative assembly.

  Then there is Meredith Beachly, the person. A cool, loyal, outspoken, and caring lady, who really knows how to lighten things up. All of us who know her, want you to know her too; and that’s why the El Segundo School District is pleased to introduce and congratulate, Meredith Beachly.

Daphne Moote,

2008 WHO Award Recipient

Not only is Daphne an excellent National Board Certified Kindergarten teacher; she has been very active in our local association, El Segundo Teachers' Association. She has done all the jobs from Building Representative to Webmaster and Newsletter Editor. Daphne has worked to make a difference for the teachers of El Segundo by serving on the negotiation team for nearly ten years and as president for the last six years. She is very active in the community in order to cement a positive relationship between the schools and the community. The most significant activity was her helping to pass school bond measures that modernized all our district schools. Daphne has demonstrated constant, steady leadership as she navigates through these difficult times of budget crisis and electronic changes. We are blessed to have such a dedicated individual and now we wish to honor our own, Daphne Moote.

Since 1982, Craig Cousins has served the El Segundo Unified School District and Teachers Association with a quick wit and sharp intellect. He has been a member of our negotiation team for over 15  years, and served as  bargaining chair, building rep, and Vice President of our association.   His sense of moral obligation to our society, and our profession is evident by his dedicated years of service.  His innovative solutions at the negotiation table are respected by teachers and administration alike. For that, we owe him a debt of gratitude. With Craig, what you see is what you get. He is straightforward and definitive in his work with the bargaining team.  An intellectual and philosopher, who thinks deeply and wisely, Craig has a strong voice in decision making. The teachers of El Segundo are proud to honor Craig Cousins.

Congratulations Dorene!

WHO Award Recipient, May, 2007

This year marks Dorene Morgan's fifteenth year of dedication to both our Teacher's Association, and to our district. Dorene is passionate in everything she does. She spends numerous hours creating a very special and inviting environment in her TEDDE class. (The first of a two-year Kindergarten program) It is clear that her students do not forget the great start they receive, for she gets many visits from former High School students who remember, and adore their first teacher. With all the time and energy she puts into her classroom, it is hard to imagine she has time to give more. She is equally dedicated to fighting for the rights of teachers and for public education. El Segundo Teacher's Association thanks her for her many years of service as a building representative, Treasurer, negotiations representative, and RA local representative. Dorene is an  extremely thoughtful and caring person who is respected and admired by everyone who has worked with her. We are very fortunate to have such a positive and caring teacher in our association!

Congratulations Paulette!

WHO Award recipient, May 10, 2006

"Paulette continued to see that our members stay abreast of offerings by CTA and NEA in items of conferences and mailings. Under her presidency we started a monthly newsletter to members to keep in touch with whatever is happening within our district, our state (CTA), and our nation (NEA) she held weekly meetings with our superintendent and the head of Human Resources to support our teachers. She has served on our negotiation team since 1995. The members of ESTA are very appreciative of the many hours of service Paulette spent on our issues. "

SERVICE CENTER COUNCIL

STATE WHO AWARD RECIPIENT

Daphne Moote

EL SEGUNDO TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

2016-2017

Daphne Moote has been teaching for 30 years, all of them in Kindergarten!  Daphne's initial immersion into union work was very typical. She was "gently" coerced into being a site representative, and then she caught the union bug. Twelve years later she became President of El Segundo Teachers Association and served her heart out as President for another 15 years. In addition to being President, she was on the Bargaining Committee, PTA Council Teacher Rep, Organizing Committee, Political Action Committee, Health Benefits Committee, and Service Center Council Rep. On behalf of CTA she has journeyed five times to Sacramento to lobby legislators. In addition, she has been the Editor of the ESTA's Newsletter for the past 20 years.  

Some years into her Presidency, she began to serve on the Bay Valley Service Center Council. A year later she was on Steering committee, and then, if she did not have enough on her plate, became the Elections Chair for Bay Valley and has been doing this for the past 7 years. Daphne was also a CTA Legislative Contact person for a state senator.

Daphne is the epitome of a union leader committed to preserving the integrity and honor of the teaching profession. She is well regarded in the   El segundo Community, respected within the School District, loved by the Teachers, and revered by the Bay Valley Service Center Council. She has been a pillar, and we are so honored to celebrate her amazing years of service to the California Teachers Association.

El Segundo Teachers Association 2017 Who Award Honorees:

Daphne Moote and Al Luna

Craig Cousins,

WHO Award Recipient

Congratulations Jim!

Congratulations Meredith Beachly!

2020 Bay Valley State Who Award Recipent!